Dentistry

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) dental practitioners and (b) dental support staff are employed by each of the services; what their establishment is; and if he will make a statement.

Don Touhig: The number of dental practitioners and dental support staff employed by each of the services and their establishment are as follows (please note that the trained requirement for the Army (and total 'all services') is sourced from the Defence Dental Service establishment for that service):
	
		Trained strength(5) and requirement as at 1 April 2005 Requirement
		
			  Dental practitioners2,3,4,5,6 Dental support staff(11) 
		
		
			 Royal Navy 70 120 
			 Army 120 240 
			 Royal Air Force 80 210 
			 All services 270 570 
		
	
	
		Strength
		
			  Dental practitioners(12) Dental support staff 
		
		
			 Royal Navy 60 120 
			 Army 150 230 
			 Royal Air Force 70 200 
			 All services 280 550 
		
	
	(5) Figures are for trained UK regular forces and therefore exclude untrained personnel, Gurkhas, full time reserve service personnel, the home service battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment and mobilised reservists.
	(6) Requirements for the RN are smoothed.
	(7) The Army trained requirement for dentists is sourced from the Defence Dental Service.
	(8) Implementation of the Medium Term Workstrand (MTW) 5 has led to a redefined global manpower requirement (GMR) which is effective from 1 April 2005.
	(9) Total trained requirement for all services is sourced from the Defence Dental Service.
	(10) Dental practitioners may include dentists who are not practising due to being posted on staff appointments and/or fulfilling non-clinical duties.
	(11) Dental support staff includes dental technicians, dental surgery assistants and dental support specialists.
	(12) Army dental practitioner figures are for officers serving within RADC only and therefore exclude late entry officers and only include ranks of captain and above. Army dental support staff may fill roles in either RAMC, RADC or QARANC.
	An establishment review is presently in progress which will reduce the number of dental practitioners and increase dental support staff.

Surface Fleet

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the configuration of the planned surface fleet is for (a) 2011, (b) 2012, (c) 2013 and (d) 2014; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: Our plans for the surface fleet are set out on page 18 of "Delivering Security in a Changing World (Future Capabilities) (Cm 6269)", presented to the House by the Secretary of State for Defence in July 2004.

XML Feeds

Michael Fabricant: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission when XML feeds of the Parliamentary website for information, including the Official Report and Early Day Motions, will be made available; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Harvey: There are at present no plans to make XML feeds of the Parliamentary website available. XML feeds of Early Day Motions are used internally for the generation of printed papers and populating parliamentary and Government information management systems. XML feeds of Hansard are under development for similar purposes.
	The Parliamentary Publications source database, which includes Hansard and Early Day Motions, is currently populated with content in HTML, and is available under licence from HMSO, who administer Parliamentary Copyright. Future planning for the development of the website will take into account the case for providing XML feeds.

Company Directors

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make it his policy to allow company directors the discretion to forego commercial advantage for ethical and public objectives.

Alun Michael: Company law provides a flexible framework which can be used by both commercial companies and companies formed for an altruistic purpose. We will be codifying directors' general duties in our proposed Company Law Reform Bill. In the case of a commercial company, directors have a duty to promote the success of the company for the benefit of its members. This means that the directors should put commercial considerations first, but, in doing so, they should foster effective relationships with employees, customers and suppliers, and in the community more widely. They need to pay regard to the long run as well as the short term consequences of their actions. We believe that this approach can both drive long-term company performance and maximise overall competitiveness and ensure that directors pay regard to the company's impact on the community and the environment.

Timeshare

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will bring forward legislation to make it illegal for a timeshare operation to dispose of timeshare development without offering full compensation based on the true value of each owner's holiday week.

Gerry Sutcliffe: I have no plans to bring forward legislation of the type described by the hon. Member. The conditions under which a timeshare resort owner is able to sell a resort will be a matter of the contracts he holds with the timeshare owners. The cross-border nature of the industry and the difficulties which this can cause in cases where individual timeshare owners feel they have a case to pursue against their resort supplier are such that issues of the type alluded to in the question are best considered in the European context.
	I have written recently to Commissioner Kyprianou to urge him to ensure that the projected review of the operation and scope of the Timeshare Directive (implemented in the UK by the Timeshare Act 1992 as amended) is given urgent attention. Industry and consumer stakeholders will have the opportunity to present the Commission with evidence of failings in the regime in the course of the review, as will the Department and the Office of Fair Trading.

A40

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  how many accidents occurred in each year between 1984 and 2004 on the A40 road between Carmarthen and St. Clears;
	(2)  how many accidents occurred in each year between 1984 and 2004 on the A40 road between St. Clears and Haverfordwest.

Stephen Ladyman: The information requested is shown in the following table. Figures for 2004 are not yet available.
	
		Number of accidents (involving personal injury) on the A40: 1984–2003
		
			  Section between Carmarthen and St. Clears Section between St. Clears and Haverfordwest 
		
		
			 1984 30 17 
			 1985 12 24 
			 1986 19 27 
			 1987 8 33 
			 1988 9 30 
			 1989 14 46 
			 1990 17 51 
			 1991 22 33 
			 1992 15 30 
			 1993 19 33 
			 1994 18 30 
			 1995 15 39 
			 1996 14 34 
			 1997 13 39 
			 1998 9 37 
			 1999 13 26 
			 2000 11 31 
			 2001 9 19 
			 2002 10 29 
			 2003 9 22

Aircraft Pollution

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has to reduce pollution from aircraft.

Karen Buck: The Government are committed to tackling pollution from aircraft. The measures we are taking are set out in Chapter 3 of "The Future of Air Transport" White Paper. They include pressing for the inclusion of aviation in the European Union emissions trading scheme from 2008, or as soon as possible thereafter.
	We have introduced the Civil Aviation Bill which clarifies and strengthens the measures available to airports for dealing with aircraft noise. This includes a greater ability to introduce and enforce noise amelioration measures beyond airport boundaries and an ability to impose penalties where aircraft stray from routes designed to minimise noise. The Bill also makes explicit the powers of airports to set charges which reflect local emissions from aircraft.
	These plans build on Government action pressing for tighter international emissions standards, funding research and promoting sustainability within the sector.

Durham Roads Budget

John Cummings: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what central funding has been allocated to Durham county council roads budget in each year since 1997.

Karen Buck: The Department has approved over £103 million of block funding to Durham county council between April 1997 and March 2005. Of this, £46.115 million was for capital maintenance, £35.697 million was for Integrated transport and £21.382 million was for major transport projects.
	The funding provided to Durham county council over the above-mentioned period is shown in the following table.
	
		Durham CC central funding for roads £ million
		
			  Capital maintenance Integrated block Major schemes Total 
		
		
			 1997–98 0.956 0.480 0 1.436 
			 1998–99 0.658 0.370 0 1.028 
			 1999–2000 4.238 4.871 0 9.109 
			 2000–01 5.24 2.190 4.200 11.63 
			 2001–02 8.555 5.397 1.955 15.907 
			 2002–03 9.103 6.440 6.117 21.66 
			 2003–04 8.008 8.054 1.007 17.069 
			 2004–05 9.357 7.895 8.103 25.355 
			 Total 46.115 35.697 21.382 103.194

Railways

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent studies his Department has (a) carried out and (b) evaluated into the viability of introducing passenger community rail services on a seasonal basis.

Derek Twigg: The Strategic Rail Authority's "Community Rail Development Strategy" provides the flexibility for local initiatives to reflect seasonal requirements in planning timetables. The cost of providing additional resources solely for seasonal services is high and may not always represent value for money.

Burma (Imports)

Vera Baird: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what tonnage of goods has been imported to the UK from Burma through (a) Teesport, (b) Harwich, (c) Felixstowe and (d) London per year on average over the past five years.

Dawn Primarolo: The tonnage of goods imported to the UK from Burma through (a) Teesport, (b) Harwich, (c) Felixstowe and (d) London are shown in the table:
	
		UK imports from Burma: general trade 2000–04 Tonnes
		
			 Port 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004(16) Average (2000–04) 
		
		
			 Teesport(17) 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
			 Harwich 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
			 Felixstowe 5,624.5 6,982.3 7,259.9 7,480.1 6,478.7 6,765.1 
			 London seaport(18) 6,697.1 5,012.2 1,375.9 1,714.7 53.5 2,970.7 
			 London airports(19) 404.8 409.5 810.4 930.5 104.8 532.0 
		
	
	(16) Figures for 2004 are provisional.
	(17) Teesport includes Hartlepool and Middlesbrough.
	(18) London seaport includes Tilbury.
	(19) London airports includes Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Luton.
	Source:
	Overseas Trade Statistics, HM Revenue and Customs

Finance Bill

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the oral statement of 7 June 2005, Official Report, column 1133, on the Finance Bill, what model was used to estimate the VAT gap.

Dawn Primarolo: A detailed explanation of the technical approach for measurement of VAT losses was provided in "Measuring Indirect Tax Losses", published in November 2002, alongside the pre-Budget report 2002. An updated version of this paper entitled "Measuring and Tackling Indirect Tax Losses" was published in December 2003 and the latest update was published in December 2004. Copies of all these publications can be obtained from the House Library.

Hospital Infections

Paul Burstow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many deaths have been recorded in each year since 2001 where (a) Clostridium difficile, (b) glycopoptide resistant enterococci, (c) small round structured viruses and (d) Acinetobacter was (i) mentioned on the death certificate and (ii) also the underlying cause of death.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked him to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Paul Burstow, dated 28 June 2005
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many deaths have been recorded in each year since 2001 where (a) Clostridium difficile, (b) glycopeptide resistant enterococci, (c) small round structured viruses and (d) Acinetobacter was (i) mentioned on the death certificate and (ii) also the underlying cause of death. (7220)
	In the Tenth Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), deaths involving enterocolitis due to Clostridium difficile can all be identified from the code A04.7. Enterocolitis is the commonest illness caused by C. difficile infection. For causes other than enterocolitis that are also known to be associated with C. difficile, it is not possible to identify from ICD codes alone the number of deaths where C. difficile actually contributed to the death. For this reason, the only routinely available mortality statistics on C. difficile are those where it was associated with enterocolitis. These figures were provided in answer to a question from Mr David Lidington MP, Hansard Written Answer 3764, page 49W on 13 June.
	Figures for glycopeptide resistant enterococci, small round structured viruses and Acinetobacter are not available from routine death certification data. These are laboratory classifications of microorganisms. Such microbiological detail is rarely used in describing the illnesses from which patients suffer or die. Furthermore, as the ICD is not designed to capture microbiological detail, there are no specific codes in ICD-10 to check whether there are any deaths for which these conditions were mentioned on the death certificate.

Inheritance Tax/Stamp Duty

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what the average inheritance tax paid in (a) England, (b) Wales, (c) the UK and (d) each Government Office region has been in each year since 1997;
	(2)  what the average (a) stamp duty and (b) inheritance tax in London has been in each year since 1996.

Dawn Primarolo: 94 per cent. of estates do not pay inheritance tax. For estates that have paid tax, the average amount of inheritance tax in the UK is shown in the following table rounded to the nearest £1,000:
	
		
			  Average UK inheritance tax bill (£000) 
		
		
			 1996–97 85 
			 1997–98 94 
			 1998–99 97 
			 1999–2000 97 
			 2000–01 98 
			 2001–02 103 
			 2002–03 92 
			 2003–04 81 
			 2004–05 (20)83 
		
	
	(20)provisional
	Equivalent figures are not available for individual counties or regions.
	Estimates of average stamp duty arising from residential land and property transactions by country and region from 1996–97 are given in the following table. These estimates supersede figures which were given in Hansard in column 394W on 15 June 2005.
	
		Averages £
		
			  1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 
		
		
			 North East 220 330 320 400 
			 North West 320 300 400 540 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 320 350 360 510 
			 East Midlands 330 330 420 600 
			 West Midlands 410 380 490 700 
			 East of England 520 620 800 1,080 
			 London 960 1,130 1,630 2,600 
			 South East 730 800 1,210 1,700 
			 South West 490 550 670 1,030 
			 Wales 260 350 370 470 
			 Scotland n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Northern Ireland 200 240 320 470 
		
	
	
		
			  2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 
		
		
			 North East 500 770 790 1,030 
			 North West 610 730 1,010 1,250 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 510 570 990 1,360 
			 East Midlands 720 740 1,200 1,760 
			 West Midlands 880 1,090 1,450 1,880 
			 East of England 1,530 1,960 2,370 3,150 
			 London 3,830 4,420 4,910 5,880 
			 South East 2,220 2,720 3,240 3,900 
			 South West 1,380 1,560 2,080 2,820 
			 Wales 530 580 1,060 1,380 
			 Scotland n/a n/a n/a 1,210 
			 Northern Ireland 730 1,000 800 1,080

Managed Expenditure

Nick Herbert: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the increase in total managed expenditure between 1999–2000 and 2007–08 inclusive was in real terms.

Des Browne: Total managed expenditure in real terms from 1999–2000 to 2007–08 is shown in table 1.2 of "Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses (PESA) 2005" (CM6521).

Pension Funds

Michael Penning: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total tax receipts from pension funds has been in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: Pension funds held by approved pension schemes do not normally pay tax. The only exceptions are where a pension fund is involved in an activity outside the terms of tax approval and that approval is withdrawn; on very rare occasions where schemes pay tax on a part of their income for instance if they are trading or have an unreduced surplus; or if they make a taxable payment to a sponsoring employer or scheme member. The amount of tax paid by pension funds under these circumstances is not known. However, the Government continue to give generous tax relief to encourage pension savings—worth over £11 billion net in 2003–04.

Tax Credits

John McFall: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many awards for (a) child and (b) working tax credit there were in the constituency of West Dunbartonshire in (i) 2003–04 and (ii) 2004–05; how many awards were (A) underpaid and (B) overpaid at (1) 5 April 2004 and (2) 5 April 2005; and what the total amounts involved were in each case.

Dawn Primarolo: HMRC publications include estimates of numbers of in-work families (broken down by families with and without children) in each region, local authority and constituency with tax credits for 2003–04 awards, including information on underpayments and overpayments, based on final family circumstances and incomes for 2003–04. HMRC publications also provide more recent provisional estimates of numbers of in-work families, as at selected dates in 2004–05 for these areas. The constituency level breakdown refers to the constituencies that existed during the periods that the awards were in payment, but do not yet reflect constituency changes that occurred at the last general election. HMRC is currently producing new estimates based on the new constituency boundaries and hope to include them in the above publications very shortly.
	The above mentioned publications can be found on the HMRC web site at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/cwtc-geog-stats.htm.
	Estimates of numbers of overpayments or underpayments for 2004–05 awards at 5 April 2005 will not be available until after family circumstances and incomes for 2004–05 have been finalised.

Tax Credits

Keith Vaz: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was paid in tax credits in 2004–05; and how much of that sum was overpayment now being claimed back.

Dawn Primarolo: Estimates of numbers of overpayments or underpayments for 2004–05 awards at 5 April 2005 will not be available until after family circumstances and incomes for 2004–05 have been finalised. The most recent estimates available for the net amount paid in tax credits and the net amount of overpayments is for awards at 5 April 2004 based on final family circumstances and incomes for 2003–04. They appear in the HMRC publication "Child and Working Tax Credits Annual statistics. 2003–04 Payments." The estimates are based on samples and are subject to significant sampling uncertainty. This publication can be found on the HMRC website at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/cwtc-quarterly-stats.htm

Tax Credits

Si�n James: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people in Swansea East have received (a) tax credits and (b) child tax credits since each was introduced.

Dawn Primarolo: Estimates of the number of in-work families (broken down by families with and without children) in each region, local authority and constituency with tax credits for 200304 awards, based on final family circumstances and incomes for 200304, appear in the HMRC statistical publication Child and Working Tax Credits Annual statistics. 200304 Geographical analyses. More recent provisional estimates for in-work families, as at selected dates in 200405, in each such area appear in the publication Child and Working Tax Credit Geographical Statistics. The estimates are based on samples and are subject to significant sampling uncertainty. These publications can be found on the HMRC web site at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/cwtc-geog-stats.htm.

VAT

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the scale of unpaid VAT as a percentage of the theoretical liability for VAT has been in each of the last 10 years for which data are available; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to Measuring and tackling indirect tax losses 2004, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House and available on the HM Revenue and Customs website.

Working Tax Credit

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people over state pension age have received working tax credit in the last two years, broken down by region; and what proportion of all childless recipients of working tax credit they represent in each case.

Dawn Primarolo: Estimates of the number of childless recipients of working tax credit by region at selected dates since July 2003 appear in the HMRC publication Child and Working Tax Credit Geographical Statistics. Estimates of the number of families with at least one member over state pension age who were receiving working tax credit as at April 2004 and April 2005, and the proportion of all childless family recipients of working tax credit they represent, are listed below. Both of these estimates are based on samples and are subject to significant sampling uncertainty, which is described in the above mentioned publication. This publication can be found on the HMRC web site at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/cwtc-geog-stats.htm.
	
		Number and proportion of pensioner couples receiving WTCat for April 2004 and April 2005
		
			  April 2004 April 2005 
			  Pensioner Families Proportion Pensioner Families Proportion 
			 Region Numbers (thousands ) Percentage Numbers (thousands ) Percentage 
		
		
			 North East 0.7 4 0.7 3 
			 North West 0.8 5 1.7 4 
			 Yorks and The Humber 1.3 5 1.3 4 
			 East Midlands 1.0 5 1.1 5 
			 West Midlands 1.3 6 1.4 6 
			 East 0.7 5 0.8 5 
			 London 0.5 4 0.5 3 
			 South East 0.9 5 1.0 5 
			 South West 1.5 7 1.8 7 
			 Wales 1.3 7 1.5 7 
			 Scotland 1.2 4 1.3 4 
			 Northern Ireland 0.5 6 0.8 8 
			 All (including Unknown) 12.6 5 14.0 5

World Bank/IMF

Tony Baldry: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will press the World Bank and International Monetary Fund to end the practice of placing economic conditions on aid, loans and debt relief to developing countries.

Ivan Lewis: The Government have recently published a new policy paper, Partnerships for Poverty Reduction: rethinking conditionally, which sets out our position on conditionality. Many developing countries and NGOs have expressed concerns about the use of conditionality in aid programmes. As set out in the policy paper, the Government believe that the relationship between donors and each developing country should be a partnership, based on shared commitments and priorities taken from the country's own poverty reduction strategy, and that progress should be measured against benchmarks from that strategy.
	The UK is working to ensure that this is reflected in all the UK's bilateral programmes with developing countries. The World Bank and IMF are both undertaking reviews of their approach to conditionality this year. In the context of these reviews, the UK will work to ensure that these institutions support country-owned programmes and that conditions are not imposed externally.

Adult Education

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether her Department will fully fund courses for adults at level 3 in Wirral in 200607.

Bill Rammell: The Department allocates funds for education and training in the post-16 learning and skills sector to the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). In the Department's Grant Letter of 15 November 2004, the LSC was allocated 6.8 billion in 200607 for learning participation, which includes funding for adult education.
	The White Paper Skills: Getting on in Business, getting on at work published in March 2005 set out our commitment to introduce a new National Employer Training Programme (NETP) based on the successful Employer Training Pilots. The new programme will commence from April 2006 and offer employers access to the full range of training solutions they need from including free Skills for Life and first full level 2 provision. Level 3 provision will be available through it but employers will need to make a contribution.
	The White Paper also gives a commitment to trial, in two regions, providing an additional element of subsidy alongside a contribution from the employer for level 3 training delivered flexibly through NETP. We will invest an additional 20 million per year in 200607 and 200708 to assess the impact of that way of operating prior to taking final decisions on the routing of public funds for level 3 training through the National Employer Training Programme.
	We are currently working with the LSC and others to identify the regions for the trials and expect to make an announcement shortly.

Chemistry Students

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the Answer of 14 June 2005, Official Report, column 370W, on student numbers, what her assessment is of the factors behind the uptake of chemistry by undergraduate students in higher education institutions in England since 199596.

Bill Rammell: Chapter 6 of the Government's Science and innovation investment framework 200414 (HMSO, July 2004) discusses this in detail. Factors affecting the demand from students include teachers and their style of teaching; the teaching environment; the curriculum; public and media perception; and careers advice. There is also a perception by young people that science subjects are more difficult.
	Action being taken in response by Government and others includes: enhancing the quantity and quality of teachers in science and maths in schools and in further education with teacher training bursaries and Golden Hellos; supporting teachers' development through science learning centres; widening the variety of learning options to young people through curricular reforms; and raising the quality of careers education and guidance through partnership with schools and the Connexions Service.

Dyslexia

Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what support is given to primary schools to help them identify children with dyslexia.

Maria Eagle: When dealing with dyslexia, as with other recognised special educational needs, schools and local authorities are expected to have regard to the SEN Code of Practice, published in November 2001, which gives practical advice on carrying out their statutory duties to identify, assess and make suitable provision for children with SEN. However, the precise arrangements for any screening and assessment arrangements are for local determination.
	Under the Primary National Strategy, the Department has produced an extensive range of specific guidance material for schools on evidence-based interventions for children with significant literacy and numeracy difficulties. A three wave model of intervention has been developed, designed to identify and support those children experiencing difficulty in literacy and/or mathematics, a good many of whom are likely to fall somewhere on the dyslexia spectrum. We have also produced guidance material on classroom strategies to enable dyslexic pupils to access learning and have recently released a new interactive CD-ROM based in-service training resource, Learning and teaching for dyslexic children. This has been developed in collaboration with the British Dyslexia Association (BDA) and the Dyslexia Institute (DI). The resource is designed to help school staff increase their awareness and understanding of the barriers to learning presented by dyslexia, and the teaching strategies that can be used to overcome them.
	The Department continues to work closely with both the BDA and DI to help raise awareness of dyslexia and encourage early intervention. We have, for example, given grant aid for the production of the BDA's Achieving Dyslexia Friendly Schools pack which promotes a whole-school approach to supporting pupils with dyslexia and provides examples of best practice. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State provided the foreword for the latest edition.
	All schools receive a School Development Grant which can be used to support improvement in any aspect of teaching and learning, including the training of staff in SEN. Local authorities may retain a proportion of this grant, under certain circumstances, to provide specific training and development for SEN and disabilities.

Dyslexia

Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what procedures are in place to detect dyslexia in children below school age.

Maria Eagle: Dyslexia is extremely difficult to identify in very young children until they begin to develop their literacy skills, and therefore signs of language delay is a more appropriate indicator term in early years. Early signs of dyslexia could include difficulties with speech and language, particularly with rhyming. All early education settings, in receipt of Government funding, must have regard to the Special Educational Needs (SEN) Code of Practice, published in November 2001. This gives practical advice to those settings in carrying out their statutory duties to identify, assess and make suitable provision for children with SEN, including those with specific learning difficulties such as delayed language development.
	The Curriculum Guidance for the Foundation Stage, for children aged 35 years, of the National Curriculum makes clear that monitoring of each child's progress is essential and that any particular difficulties in any areas of learning are identified and addressed. This should form part of the statutory Foundation Stage Profile, and the reception teacher's on-going observational assessment of individual children to record their achievements in working towards their Early Learning Goals. These set out expectations as to what most children should achieve by the end of the Foundation Stage.
	We are also working with the National Assessment Agency to provide materials to support the effective use of the Foundation Stage Profile for head teachers, and to help Year 1 teachers to continue to meet diverse learning needs.
	Where children do not make the expected progress, or demonstrate difficulties acquiring language skills, then practitioners should be able to refer to the Area Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) or Speech and Language Therapist for additional support and advice. The most effective procedures will be implemented via the Area SENCO who should be supporting practitioners to observe and assess children's progress, particularly where there is cause for concern, and then plan for next steps in learning. Local authority training to support children with difficulties (via Area SENCOs and SEN support services) will also assist in early identification.
	As part of its Primary National Strategy, the Department has issued guidance on the early teaching of phonics, Playing with sounds, which includes specific guidance on early identification and support for children who demonstrate the phonological difficulties often associated with dyslexia.
	The Department has also issued guidance for the Foundation Stage practitioners in the form of a checklist of early indicators of potential dyslexia, through its Primary National Strategy professional development materials, Learning and teaching for children with dyslexia.

Further and Higher Education Act

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many times the Secretary of State has modified trust deeds or other instruments in exercise of the powers in section 46 of the Further and Higher Education Act 1992.

Bill Rammell: Section 46 of the Further and Higher Education Act 1992 permits the Secretary of State to modify trust deeds or other instruments relating to institutions within the further education (FE) sector. There have been no instances to date where the Secretary of State have exercised this power.

Overseas Students

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate she has made of the proportion of graduates from English universities from EU member states who went to work outside the UK following graduation in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: For 2002/03, of EU domiciled full time first degree graduates from English HE institutions whose destinations were known, my Department estimates that 21 per cent. were employed overseas six months after graduation.
	For 2001/02 and earlier years, estimates are 13 per cent., 15 per cent., 16 per cent. and 13 per cent. for 2001/02, 2000/01,1999/2000 and 1998/99 respectively.
	Estimates for 2002/03 are not comparable with estimates for 2001/02 and earlier because of changes in the source information.
	The available information on which these estimates were based, is shown in the tables.
	
		EU(21)(5507940022) domiciled full time first degree graduates from English HE institutions by first destination six months after graduation,1998/99 to 2001/02
		
			 First destination 1998/99 1999/2000 2000/01 2001/02 
		
		
			 Employment in the UK(23) 1,035 910 1,000 955 
			 Employment overseas(23) 855 925 925 715 
			 Further Study in the UK(23) 2,385 2,355 2,220 2,270 
			 Further Study overseas(23) 450 490 600 540 
			 Overseas students returning overseas 1,220 815 815 590 
			 Other(24) 495 355 520 600 
			 Total 6,440 5,845 6,080 5,670 
			 Survey response rate (percentage) 61 53 53 54 
		
	
	(21) Covers EU domiciled overseas students.
	(22) Figures are rounded to the nearest 5, hence constituent parts may not sum due to totals.
	(23) Location is only collected from employment and study.
	(24) Includes those students with destinations of Not available for employment', Assumed unemployed, 'Other and a small number of those employed or studying whose location is unknown.
	Source:
	Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) First Destination Supplement
	
		EU 1,2 domiciled full time first degree graduates from English HE institutions by first destination(27) six months after graduation,2002/03
		
			 First destination 2002/03 
		
		
			 Employment in the UK(28) 1,100 
			 Employment overseas(28) 1,010 
			 Further Study only 2,130 
			 Other 655 
			 Total 4,895 
			 Survey response rate (percentage) 61 
		
	
	(25) Covers EU domiciled overseas students.
	(26) Figures are rounded to the nearest 5, hence constituent parts may not sum due to totals.
	(27) Location is only collected for employment destinations.
	(28) Includes students classed as Work and further study'.
	(29) Includes those students classed as Further study only, 'Not available for employment, 'Assumed unemployed, 'Other and a small number of those in employment whose location is unknown.
	Sources:
	Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Destination of Leavers from Higher Education
	Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) First Destination Supplement

Plater College

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much money Plater college has received from (a) her Department and (b) the bodies for which it is responsible in each of the last 20 years.

Bill Rammell: The Learning and Skills Council allocated funds to Plater college as follows:
	
		
			   
		
		
			 200001 573,546 
			 200102 590,033 
			 200203 657,189 
			 200304 742,206 
			 200405 900,000 
		
	
	Information regarding the funding provided to Plater college from other sources or in previous years is not held centrally and cannot be readily retrieved without incurring disproportionate costs.

School Meals

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many school children in Lancashire (a) receive free school meals and (b) pay for school meals, broken down by district.

Jacqui Smith: The available information about take up and eligibility for free school meals is given in the tables. Information about the number of children who pay for school meals is not collected centrally.
	
		Maintained nursery and primary schools(32): school meal arrangementsPosition in January each year. 2004 and 2005 (provisional)Districts in Lancashire local education authority area
		
			  2004 
			  Number on roll 2 Number of pupils taking free school meals 3 Percentage of pupils taking free school meals Number of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals Percentage of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals 
		
		
			 Blackburn with Darwen 154 5 3.2 6 3.9 
			 Burnley 8,736 1,641 18.8 2,015 23.1 
			 Chorley 8,754 810 9.3 980 11.2 
			 Fylde 5,002 388 7.8 446 8.9 
			 Hyndburn 8,123 1,290 15.9 1,600 19.7 
			 Lancaster 10,656 1,451 13.6 1,750 16.4 
			 Pendle 8,222 1,393 16.9 1,691 20.6 
			 Preston 11,907 1,965 16.5 2,408 20.2 
			 Ribble Valley 4,933 191 3.9 247 5.0 
			 Rossendale 6,152 824 13.4 956 15.5 
			 South Ribble 8,733 736 8.4 847 9.7 
			 West Lancashire 9,713 1,307 13.5 1,579 16.3 
			 Wyre 8,015 853 10.6 1,020 12.7 
			 Lancashire local education authority area99,100 12,854 13.0 15,545 15.7 
		
	
	
		
			  2005 (provisional)(36) 
			  Number on roll 2 Number of pupils taking free school meals 3 Percentage of pupils taking free school meals Number of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals Percentage of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals 
		
		
			 Blackburn with Darwen 160 10 3.2 10 3.9 
			 Burnley 8,450 1,510 17.6 1,890 22.3 
			 Chorley 8,650 740 8.5 900 10.4 
			 Fylde 4,900 370 7.6 440 8.9 
			 Hyndburn 8,050 1,260 15.6 1,520 18.8 
			 Lancaster 10,410 1,370 13.2 1,660 16.0 
			 Pendle 8,110 1,310 16.1 1,600 19.7 
			 Preston 11,600 1,840 15.9 2,220 19.1 
			 Ribble Valley 4,890 180 3.6 200 4.2 
			 Rossendale 6,040 730 12.0 810 13.4 
			 South Ribble 8,540 690 8.1 780 9.2 
			 West Lancashire 9,580 1,190 12.4 1,450 15.1 
			 Wyre 7,790 790 10.1 930 11.9 
			 Lancashire local education authority area97,150 11,980 12.3 14,400 14.8 
		
	
	(32) Includes middle schools as deemed.
	2 Includes dually registered pupils.
	(33) Number of pupils who took a free school meal on the day of the census in January.
	4 Provisional figures have been rounded to the nearest 10.
	Source:
	Annual Schools Census
	
		Maintained secondary schools(34): school meal arrangementsPosition in January each year. 2004 and 2005 (provisional)Districts in Lancashire local education authority area
		
			  2004 
			  Number on roll 2 Number of pupils taking free school meals 3 Percentage of pupils taking free school meals Number of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals Percentage of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals 
		
		
			 Blackburn with Darwen (38) (38) (38) (38) (38) 
			 Burnley 6,474 1,168 18.0 1,479 22.8 
			 Chorley 5,805 493 8.5 554 9.5 
			 Fylde 3,883 237 6.1 284 7.4 
			 Hyndburn 5,114 867 17.0 952 18.6 
			 Lancaster 9,082 826 9.1 1,084 11.9 
			 Pendle 5,799 1,044 18.0 1,199 20.7 
			 Preston 7,281 1,223 16.8 1,416 19.4 
			 Ribble Valley 5,178 245 4.7 288 5.6 
			 Rossendale 5,451 641 11.8 752 13.8 
			 South Ribble 8,610 641 7.4 781 9.1 
			 West Lancashire 7,045 1,061 15.1 1,127 16.0 
			 Wyre 6,992 533 7.6 680 9.7 
			 Lancashire local education authority area76,694 8,979 11.7 10,596 13.8 
		
	
	
		
			  2005 (provisional)(37) 
			  Number on roll 2 Number of pupils taking free school meals 3 Percentage of pupils taking free school meals Number of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals Percentage of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals 
		
		
			 Blackburn with Darwen (38) (38) (38) (38) (38) 
			 Burnley 6,400 1,070 16.7 1,400 21.9 
			 Chorley 5,810 430 7.4 500 8.5 
			 Fylde 3,830 240 6.2 270 7.0 
			 Hyndburn 5,090 860 17.0 920 18.1 
			 Lancaster 9,040 840 9.3 990 11.0 
			 Pendle 5,600 950 17.0 1,040 18.6 
			 Preston 7,160 1,110 15.6 1,300 18.2 
			 Ribble Valley 5,260 200 3.8 260 4.9 
			 Rossendale 5,390 560 10.4 660 12.2 
			 South Ribble 8,500 610 7.2 770 9.0 
			 West Lancashire 7,050 970 13.8 1,090 15.4 
			 Wyre 6,860 480 7.0 660 9.6 
			 Lancashire local education authority area75,960 8,320 11.0 9.850 13.0 
		
	
	(34) Includes middle schools as deemed.
	2 Includes dually registered pupils.
	(35) Number of pupils who took a free school meal on the day of the census in January.
	4 Provisional figures have been rounded to the nearest 10.
	(36) Not applicable
	Source:
	Annual Schools Census

School Meals

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether schools that have opted out of local authority catering contracts will be eligible for access to the 280 million package to improve school dinners announced by her Department on 30th March.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 27 June 2005
	Over the three years 200506 to 200708 all maintained schools in England, regardless of their type of school meal provision, will receive a share of the 220 million set aside to help local education authorities and schools strengthen their support for healthy eating and to provide better quality food. Of this, 30 million each year will go to schools to help them meet transitional costs, and 30/50/50 million will go to LEAs to enable them to support schools to improve the quality of their meals, with an emphasis on schools in deprived areas and schools starting from a low base.
	The first instalment of this additional funding will be available to schools and LEAs this autumn. Further details about the distribution of both grants between individual local authorities and schools will be announced over the summer.

Spending per Pupil

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the spending per pupil was in (a) primary, (b) secondary and (c) special schools in (i) 1985 and (ii) in the last year for which figures are available.

Jacqui Smith: The information is as follows.
	
		School based expenditure(37) per pupil 2 in cash terms 198586 and 200304(39)(5507940040) in Englandas reported by LEAs as at 23 June 2005 
		
			  198586 200304 
		
		
			 Primary 820 2,750 
			 Secondary 1,180 3,550 
			 Special 4,040 14,050 
		
	
	(37) School based expenditure includes only expenditure incurred directly by the schools. This includes the pay of teachers and school-based support staff, school premises costs, books and equipment, and certain other supplies and services, less any capital items funded from recurrent spending and income from sales, fees, charges, rents and rates. This excludes the central cost of support services such as home to school transport, local authority administration and the financing of capital expenditure.
	(38) Pupil numbers include only those pupils attending LEA maintained schools and are drawn from the DfES Annual Schools Census adjusted to be on a financial year basis.
	(39) 19992000 saw a change in data source when the data collection moved from the RO1 form collected by the ODPM to the section 52 form from the DfES. 200304 is the latest year for which figures are available.
	(40) The main difference between 198586 and 200304 is that meals and milk are no longer excluded and that no adjustments for balances are now made. However, 198586 also includes all premature retirement compensation (PRC) and Crombie payments, mandatory payments and other indirect employee expenses, while in 200304 only the schools element of these categories is included. Also, for some LEAs, expenditure that had previously been attributed to the school sectors was reported within the LEA part of the section 52 form in 200304 and would therefore be excluded, though this is not quantifiable from existing sources.
	Note:
	Figures are rounded to the nearest 10 and are in cash terms.

Sure Start

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether she expects the current level of Sure Start provision in Everton to continue.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 27 June 2005
	Everton in Liverpool has benefited from both the trailblazer Sure Start West Everton and Breckfield local programme approved in 1999 and the Everton Early Childhood Centre (EEC) approved in February 2001 which are based on the same site. The building was developed with local and national Government funding including both the Sure Start and Early Excellence programmes. The Sure Start local programme and the EEC were brought together and designated as one of the first integrated children's centres in June 2003.
	For 2005/06 the Sure Start revenue funding for this children's centre is currently:
	
		
			  Amount () 
		
		
			 Sure Start Local Programme Revenue 787,623 
			 Early Excellence Centre Revenue 75,647 
			 Total Revenue Funding 2005/06 863,270 
		
	
	From 2006/07 funding will begin to taper for the trailblazer local programmes as part of the planned process of incorporation in to mainstream services. Everton's Sure Start local programme funding for 2006/07 will be 590,717. Early Excellence Centres have been funded until March 2006. However, Liverpool local authority will receive children's centre funding of 2,955,804 for 200406 and 9,025,886 for 200608. This is to support existing children's centres like Everton as well as to develop more. We expect Early Years provision to be maintained and to grow through children's centres, so that by 2010 there is a children's centre for every community. The Sure Start budget will more than double to 1.8 million by 2008. Exactly how and when this funding is used to support children's centres is a matter for the local authority to decide based on their assessment of existing provision, levels of deprivation and families needs.

Biometric Information

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has collated on which other countries are (a) planning and (b) using biometric information on (i) passports and (ii) identification cards.

Andy Burnham: All the Schengen states will be required to use biometrics in passports under Council Regulation 2252/2004. These biometric are facial images and finger prints, which will be introduced by 18 months and three years respectively for the date of adoption. Non-Schengen states may choose to follow the requirements, though they would not be bound by the timetable. Similar information has not been collated for Non-EU states. All ED member states which issue identity cards are considering introducing biometrics to increase security. This is part of a world-wide move towards using biometrics in travel and other identity documents, not an EU requirement as there is no legal basis for the Community to act on identity cards. Our information on current procedures is that biometric information is only currently stored on the Italian national identity card. Among non-EU states, Hong Kong currently includes biometric information on its national identity cards and Thailand is planning their introduction.

Identity Cards

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the robustness of available technology to meet the requirements of the proposed identity card scheme.

Andy Burnham: Given constant advancement of biometric technology and the need to conduct a fair and thorough procurement process, rather than focus on the technology available at the present time, much of which may be superseded by the time cards are first issued, we are working with other Departments and with expert advisers to set the requirements for performance of future technology. However, naturally, this work has included a review of baseline technologies available now. In particular this has included: a review of the technology used elsewhere in government; engagement with other governments with experience in the field (e.g. US, Hong Kong, Philippines, UAE); in depth review of current and emerging scientific evidence in the field; engagement with independent experts in the field (e.g. Communications-Electronic Security Group, National Physical Laboratory, San Jose University, National Institute of Standards and Technology, PA consulting).

Identity Cards

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many digits he expects to be printed on identity cards; and what information he has collated on the number of digits required on passports and identity cards by other countries.

Andy Burnham: No fingerprints will be printed on the face of the identity card. Biometric information, including under current plans 10 fingerprints, will be held securely on the National Identity Register. Some of the fingerprint data could be held in an encrypted form on the card chip. All the Schengen states will be required to use biometrics in passports under Council Regulation 2252/2004. Fingerprint biometrics (rather than just fingerprints) will be introduced within three years of adoption. Non-Schengen states may choose to follow the requirements, although they would not be bound by the timetable. Other EU member states which issue identity cards are considering introducing biometrics to increase security and some, for example Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain, already collect one of more fingerprints as part of their national identity card schemes. Among non-EU states, Hong Kong and the Philippines currently include fingerprint information on their identity card schemes.

Identity Cards

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 13 June 2005, Official Report, columns 15758W, on identity cards, 
	(1)  if he will disaggregate the total average annual running costs for issuing passports and identity cards to show the estimated costs for (a) online verification to validate identity cards and other identity enquiries from user organisations, (b) operating and maintaining (i) those parts of the central IT infrastructure that will support identity verification services and (ii) additional central infrastructure and (c) recording and matching face, fingerprint and iris biometric information;
	(2)  what his estimate is of the cost of (a) introducing and (b) maintaining a database containing (i) facial biometrics and (ii) facial, iris and fingerprint biometrics in combination for the population of the UK who are 16 years and over.

Andy Burnham: It would not be appropriate to release this information in advance of procurement as this may put at risk the Department's ability to secure value for money.

Identity Card Register

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with which commercial companies his Department has held discussions about the proposed identity card scheme.

Andy Burnham: The Identity Cards programme is currently in the pre-procurement development phase. In conducting its activities, discussions have taken place with a range of commercial organisations. These discussions have, to date, focused on technical feasibility, benefits case development and general communications with the market as part of the early market engagement recommended by the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) as best practice in public sector procurements. The ultimate aim of conducting these discussions is to ensure that an appropriate and effective procurement strategy is developed resulting in a competitive procurement and successful implementation.

Identity Card Register

Dawn Butler: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the Department will take to ensure that identity cards will not be required to be produced by those subject to stop and search, with particular reference to stop and search of black and ethnic minority individuals.

Andy Burnham: There will be no requirement to carry an ID card at all times, this is specifically prohibited in the Identity Cards Bill, in addition a police officer do not have a power under the Bill to stop someone and demand to see an identity card although there is nothing to prevent an individual choosing to provide an identity card voluntarily.

Identity Card Register

Dawn Butler: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment the Department has made of the extent to which the introduction of identity cards will eliminate identity theft perpetrated over the telephone.

Andy Burnham: The Identity Cards Programme team is working closely with experts in the field of remote authentication (i.e. verifying people's identities when using the internet, telephone and post) in order to establish a more secure method of verifying an identity than currently possible.
	Reference research has shown that use of the ID card with certain processes will permit an improvement in the level of assurance possible via remote authentication.
	This research to date has focused on the concept of a challenge response process, which allows for the generation of a one-off password for a person to use for an individual transaction. Due to the one-time nature of the response generated, anyone trying to impersonate another individual to obtain information about others for criminal purpose or to perpetrate fraud will be greatly hindered.
	Specific details regarding the research cannot be made public due to issues of commercial sensitivity prior to procurement.

Identity Card Register

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on how married people who wish to use both their pre-marriage and post-marriage name will be dealt with under the proposed identity card scheme; and whether it will be possible for them to have two cards.

Andy Burnham: Final decisions have not yet been taken regarding the name policy for the Identity Cards scheme. However, we are aware of the needs of those who use both their pre-marriage and post-marriage names. The Identity Cards Bill allows for a person to include other names by which they are Known on the National Identity Register and we are looking at various solutions on how to represent this on the card for UK citizens. We continue to investigate how both names could be used for verification purposes. Current work indicates that it should not be necessary to provide two cards to enable married people to use both their pre-marriage and post-marriage names. In the case of foreign nationals, their name on the card will be required to match what is on their passport for immigration purposes.

Identity Card Register

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether a decision has been made on the (a) number and (b) location of centres where biometric information may be collected.

Andy Burnham: We are currently planning a network of enrolment centres where applicants to the ID cards scheme will have a biometrics recorded and a short meeting with a member of the new agency's staff. Work on defining the number and location of centres is not yet complete. On 21 December 2004, Official Report, column 171WS, my right hon. Friend Mr. Des Browne provided a written statement to the House announcing some 70 new offices being required for the first phase of the UKPS Authentication by Interview (ABI) project, while this forms part of the building blocks towards the identity cards programme these offices do not necessarily form part of the enrolment centre provision. The identity cards programme enrolment network is being designed to enable people to obtain a card with minimum inconvenience. The number and location of centres is being developed based on: Convenience for applicant, considering travel distance and time, travel to work areas, public transport availability and patterns: Minimum workable size of centre, considering staffing issues, security and avoiding collusion: Overall cost of the enrolment centre network. In addition to the enrolment centres the identity cards programme enrolment plans also include the use of mobile facilities, although at this stage it is not yet known how many of these facilities there will be.

Business Grants

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much funding has been allocated to (a) Business Start Up, (b) Promoting Entrepreneurs and (c) Enterprise Northern Ireland in each of the last three years.

Angela Smith: The information is as follows.
	(a) Invest NI has allocated the following funding to start-ups broken down by three market segments targeted by entrepreneurs, ie Global, Export, and Locally focused within Northern Ireland.
	
		
			  
			 Market segment 200203 200304 200405 Total 
		
		
			 Externally focused 3,724,721.00 4,073,934.00 2,915,158.00 10,713,813.00 
			 Globally focused 0.00 0.00 2,169,167.00 2,169,167.00 
			 Locally focused (Start A Business Programme) 2,211,735.00 2,610,307.00 3,068,017.00 7,890,059.00 
			 Total 5,936,456.00 6,684,241.00 8,152,342.00 20,773,039.00 
		
	
	(b) Invest NI spend on the Entrepreneurship Development Team over the last three years is:
	
		
			   
		
		
			 200203 4,000,000 
			 200304 4,600,000 
			 200405 7,000,000 
			 Total 15,600,000 
		
	
	In the same year Invest NI spend associated with the Accelerating Entrepreneurship Strategy/Go For It campaign is:
	
		
			   
		
		
			 200203 770,000 
			 200304 2,450,000 
			 200405 1,720,000 
			 Total 4,940,000 
		
	
	However almost every aspect of Invest NI work involves entrepreneurial activity so the real figure for entrepreneurial activity is much higher.
	(c) Invest NI has provided the following fees to Enterprise Northern Ireland for the delivery of the Start A Business programme:
	
		
			   
		
		
			 200203 1,438,658.19 
			 200304 2,027,818.46 
			 200405 2,755,184.79 
			 Total 6,221,661.44

Counterfeit Medicines

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what strategy is being pursued by the Chief Pharmacist in combating the counterfeiting of (a) medical and (b) veterinary pharmaceutical products in Northern Ireland

Shaun Woodward: The Department's Pharmaceutical Inspectorate, under the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer, investigates all reports of manufacture and sale of illegal human and veterinary medicines including counterfeit products.
	The Inspectorate conducts routine and ad-hoc announced and unannounced inspections of manufacturers and wholesale dealers of medicinal products to assess compliance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Good Distribution Practice (GDP). This work is undertaken on behalf of, and in liaison with, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). In addition, there is a regular programme of inspection of pharmacies and of registered agricultural merchants and saddlers for compliance with relevant legislation and current good practice.
	The Department seeks to create public awareness through publicising criminal convictions and notable seizures of illegal and counterfeit products, which are considered to pose a significant threat to public health.
	The Inspectorate undertakes regular training in counterfeit medicines detection methods and techniques in co-operation with the MHRA who also provide analytical services in relation to enforcement cases. There are also good collaborative links with international drug regulatory authorities and, more locally, the Inspectorate works closely with the Irish Medicines Board in relation to human medicines and with the Irish Department of Agriculture and Food (DAF) for veterinary medicines in the conduct of joint-investigations, exchange of experience and the sharing of intelligence.

Departmental Budget

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the reasons are for the differences between the figures for Northern Ireland Departmental Administration Costs Limits for 200506 published as Table 4 of his Priorities and Budget document 2005 to 2008 and the figures for departmental net administration costs for the same year published in the Northern Ireland Estimates 200506.

Angela Smith: The following table reconciles the figures within individual Departmental Estimates and the departmental totals within Table 4 of the Priorities and Budget document:
	
		
			   million 
		
		
			 Total departmental admin costs per estimates booklet 1,105.3 
			 Less notional charges -72.1 
			 Pension changes -23.4 
			 Admin receipts -99.1 
			 AME costs -7.5 
			 Admin costs per Table 4, Priorities and Budget Document(42) 903.2 
		
	
	(42) Figure for departments onlyexcludes the 6.8 million miscellaneous adjustment
	Explanations for the reconciling items are as follows:
	1. Notional chargesThe estimates include notional charges, which are non-budget items and thus do not appear in the Budget figurework.
	2. Pension changesIn late December 2004, HM Treasury provided details of changes required to Northern Ireland budgets as a result of a change in methodology for determining employers' contribution rates for the Civil Service Pension Scheme and the Teacher's Pension Scheme. These changes were not available at the time of publication of the Priorities and Budget document, but have been included in the estimates document.
	3. Admin receiptsThe departmental administration figures in column 1 of the estimates are on a gross basis, with any associated receipts being included in the Accruing Resources figures in column 5. The administration cost limits in the Priorities and Budget are presented on a net basis after allowing for any associated administration receipts.
	4. AMEThe administrative element of Annually Managed Expenditure (AME) is included in the Estimates, but not included in Table 4 of the Priorities and Budget, which focuses on the Departmental Expenditure Limit (DEL).

EU Funding (North Belfast)

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what EU funds from (a) mainstream funds and (b) special programmes and initiatives have been allocated to North Belfast in each year since 1997.

Angela Smith: The amount of money from mainstream EU programmes and special programmes and initiatives allocated 1 to North Belfast since 1997 was as follows:
	1 The figures relate to projects with an address in the North Belfast parliamentary constituency. Where the project address is insufficient to allocate a postcode, organisation address details are used. If this is the case it is important to note that the impact of any project may extend beyond the geographical location of the project itself. In addition, a project may not be situated within the same geographical area as the applicant organisation.
	
		
			
			  (a) Mainstream EU programmes(43) (b) Special programmes and initiatives(44) 
		
		
			 1997 12,435,782 7,516,653 
			 1998 3,982,376 6,067,460 
			 1999 3,203,191 11,812,038 
			 2000 2,204,060 1,846,856 
			 2001 1,013,339 1,936,814 
			 2002 6,005,602 12,992,496 
			 2003 1,705,678 21,978,660 
			 2004 9,005,801 11,888,575 
			 2005  405,624 
		
	
	(43) The EU programmes included in this category are the 199499 single programme document and the 200006 programme for building sustainable prosperity.
	(44) The EU programmes included in this category are Peace I 199599, Peace II 200006 and the Community Initiatives Urban I, SMEs, Employment and Adapt for the period 199499 and Urban II, Equal and Interreg IIIA for the funding period 200006.
	A list of projects and grants awarded under the current round of EU funding 200006 extracted from the EU structural funds database has been placed in the Library.

Pensioners

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many pensioners there are in the Strangford constituency.

David Hanson: In answering this question I have assumed the word pensioners relates to those people who are in receipt of retirement pension.
	The number of people as of March 2005 in receipt of Retirement Pension in the Strangford constituency was 16,268.

Sinn Fein (Remuneration)

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been paid in (a) salaries and (b) office allowances to Sinn Fein Assembly members since 29th April 2004; and if he will make a statement.

Peter Hain: The total amount paid to Sinn Fein Assembly Members in respect of salaries from 29 April 2004 to 31 May 2005 was 823,239. For the same period, Sinn Fein Assembly members received Office Allowance Costs of 1,211,141.

Smoke Alarms

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the number of homes in Northern Ireland which are not fitted with a working smoke alarm; and what steps are being taken to increase the numbers of homes with working smoke alarms.

Shaun Woodward: The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) has based its estimates of working smoke alarms on the findings of the June 2004 Northern Ireland Omnibus Survey (NIOS). This found that 96 per cent. of respondents had a smoke alarm in their home. Of these, 72 per cent. reported checking their alarms as least weekly or monthly. Taking into account the likelihood of those who tested their alarms less frequently, or never tested, having working alarms, NIFRS estimates that 19 per cent. of homes may not have a reliable, working smoke alarm.
	NIFRS has undertaken a number of initiatives to increase public awareness of the need to maintain smoke alarms. These have included the Touch for Life television advert, shown every Monday throughout the year, which promotes smoke detector maintenance. Billboard and Adshel posters accompanied the television and radio campaign. NIFRS has also circulated a multi-lingual fire safety leaflet targeting minority ethnic groups. NIFRS has also conducted 3,527 community development initiatives in the past year, including fire safety talks in schools, highlighting the importance of smoke alarm maintenance, and 1,421 home safety visits giving advice on fire safety arrangements, as well as the installation and maintenance of smoke alarms.

European Armaments, Research and Military Capabilities Agency

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the role is of the European Armaments, Research and Military Capabilities Agency; when it was established; how it is financed; what the UK contribution was in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: I have been asked to reply.
	The European Defence Agency was formally established under that title on 12 July 2004 by a unanimous decision by Heads of State and Government. It was established under the Council Joint Action 2004/551/CFSP according to the provisions of the treaty on European Union.
	The Agency's mission is to support member states in their effort to improve the European defence capabilities in the field of crisis management and to sustain the ESDP as it stands and develops in the future. To fulfil this role, the Agency has been assigned four functions: the development of defence capabilities in the field of crisis management; the promotion and enhancement of European armaments co-operation; working to strengthen the defence technological and industrial base and for the creation of an internationally competitive European defence equipment market; and the enhancement of the effectiveness of European defence research and technology.
	The Agency is financed by contributions from participating member states, whose share is based on assessments of gross national income. The UK contributed 17.28 percent. (equating to 308,775.51) of the budget for 2004, which covered the period from its formal establishment in July to the end of that year. For the calendar year 2005, the UK contribution is 18.07 percent., equating to 3,596,803. The 2005 budget includes non-recurring costs associated with the initial set-up of the Agency.
	The Government are a strong supporter of the European Defence Agency. The Agency will drive forward work on improving European defence capabilities by encouraging and supporting the efforts of individual EU member states. By developing proposals to rationalise and harmonise capability requirements, and linking those directly to industrial and research efforts, the Agency will significantly strengthen both the European security and defence policy and Europe's contribution to NATO.

Iran

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Bah' community in Iran.

Kim Howells: The Bah's are the largest non-Muslim religious group in Iran yet, unlike Christians, Jews and Zoroastrians, are not recognised in Iran's constitution. Members of the Bah' community have suffered intimidation and harassment, had property confiscated and been denied access to education and employment, apparently on account of their faith. A number of Bah' sites have been demolished, organisers of Bah' community activities have reportedly been harassed and the Bah' faith has been denigrated in the state-owned media. Many of these acts appear to have been carried out by, or with the support or acquiescence of, the Iranian authorities. We have raised our concerns about the situation of the Bah's in Iran with the Iranian authorities on many occasions, and will continue to do so, bilaterally and with our European Union partners.

Iran

Robert Marshall-Andrews: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals the EU3 has made on (a) nuclear co-operation, (b) technological and economic co-operation and (c) security issues during negotiations with the Iran Government.

Kim Howells: In an agreement reached with Iran in Paris in November 2004, the UK, France and Germany (the E3), supported by the EU High Representative, proposed a framework for negotiating long-term arrangements for Iran's nuclear programme and co-operation in other areas. Iran agreed to suspend fully all uranium enrichment related and reprocessing activities while the discussions continue; the agreement makes clear that this is essential to the continuation of the process. The discussions have been taken forward by a Steering Committee and three Working Groups covering nuclear issues, political/security issues, and technology/co-operation. Both sides have put forward ideas. Following a ministerial meeting in Geneva on 25 May, the E3 have now agreed to present further ideas in late July or early August. These are still under internal discussion.

Kashmir

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made towards an improvement in the human rights situation in Kashmir.

Kim Howells: We remain concerned by continued credible reports of human rights abuses in Kashmir, including acts reportedly perpetrated by members of the Indian security forces. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised this with the Indian Minister of Home Affairs during his visit to India in February 2005. The UK condemns all acts of violence that bring suffering to the people of Kashmir, and believes that only through dialogue between India and Pakistan will a durable solution to the Kashmir issue be reached. We welcome the Indian Chief of Army Staffs public commitment to reach out to the Kashmiri People, and the UK will continue to encourage the Indian Government to implement such pledges to improve the human rights situation in Kashmir.

Council Tax

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the average (a) Band D and (b) per dwelling council tax bill has been in (i) London and (ii) each London borough in each year since 199798.

Phil Woolas: Details of the average (a) Band D and (b) per dwelling council tax bill in (i) London and (ii) each London borough in each year since 199899 are published on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website and can be found under the heading Information For TaxpayersCouncil Taxes at: http://www.local.odpm.gov.uk/finance/ct.htm.

EU Funding (West Midlands)

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much EU funding has been secured for projects in the west midlands since 1997, broken down by (a) parliamentary constituency and (b) local authority.

Yvette Cooper: The west midlands region has secured over 1.2 billion of funding from the European Union since 1997, via a package of structural funds programmes, namely
	
		
			  
			 Programme ERDF ESF EAGGF Total 
		
		
			 Objective 2 (199799) 226. 10 million 77.49 million  303.59 million 
			 Urban (199799) 1.95 million 0.88 million  2.83 million 
			 Leader II (199799) 1.0 million 0.25 million 0.25 million 1.50 million 
			 Objective 2 (200006) 515 26 million 100.00 million  615.26 million 
			 Objective 3 (200006)  318.09 million  318.09 million 
			 Leader+ (200006)   1.13 million 1.13 million 
			 Grand total1.2424 billion 
		
	
	These sums are in addition to the 335 million of EU funding allocated to the region under the earlier programmes (199495), part of which was still available to spend up to 2001.
	European funding is allocated on a national/regional basis for projects operating in eligible programme areas which are agreed with the Commission at the start of the programming period. EU funds are not allocated on a sub-regional basis in the west midlands region, so the above allocations cannot be broken down to a parliamentary constituency or local authority level.

EU Funding (West Midlands)

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much (a) objective 2, (b) objective 3 and (c) other EU funding has been secured in the West Midlands in 200506, broken down by (i) parliamentary constituency and (ii) local authority area.

Yvette Cooper: European Structural Funds programmes operate on the basis of calendar years. Between 1 January and 31 December 2005, the West Midlands has been allocated a total of 110.4 million in European funding, broken down as follows:
	
		
			  million 
			 Programme ERDF ESF EAGGF Total 
		
		
			 Objective 2 60.92 14.50  75. 42 
			 Objective 3  34.70  34.70 
			 Leader+   0.28 0.28 
			 Grand total110.40 
		
	
	EU funds are not allocated on a sub-regional basis in the West Midlands, so the above allocations cannot be broken down to a parliamentary constituency or local authority area.

Home Ownership

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to his written statement of 25 May 2005, Official Report, column 17WS, on home ownership, how many people in each region he expects to be eligible for the shared home ownership schemes.

Yvette Cooper: It is not possible to estimate at the moment how many people in each region will be eligible for our new HomeBuy shared equity proposals as set out in our consultation document HomeBuyExpanding the Opportunity to Own.
	We want to ensure that our support is directed at people most in need of assistance. Our consultation document proposes that social tenants and those on housing registers, key workers and other first time buyers identified by Regional Housing Boards should be eligible for assistance. Final eligibility criteria will therefore be dependent on the recommendations of Regional Housing Boards.
	The consultation closes on 24 June and we intend to put the new arrangements in place by April 2006.

Home Ownership

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the written statement of 25 May 2005, Official Report, column 17WS, on home ownership, how many of the shared home ownership schemes he expects to be in place by April 2009; and how many people he expects to have participated in them.

Yvette Cooper: Sustainable Communities: Homes for All, a copy of which can be found in the Library of the House, indicated that over 80,000 households will be helped into home-ownership through low cost home ownership schemes by 2010. This total could increase to as many as 110,000 through a deal being negotiated with the Council of Mortgage Lenders that would involve the Government funding equity loans jointly with private lenders.
	However, it is too early to say how many people will have participated in shared ownership schemes between now and April 2009. Decisions on the overall level of funding for affordable housing in each region in 200607 and 200708 will be taken over the summer in the light of advice from the Regional Housing Boards. The allocation of these funds across the regions, which will be announced early next year, will reflect advice from the boards and the quantity and value for money of bids to the Housing Corporation. The delivery of outputs from 200809 will be dependent upon the outcome of the next Spending Review in 2006.

House Sales (Islamic Financing)

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  how many homes have been sold in each year since 1997 under (a) shared ownership and (b) right-to-buy schemes using the principles of Islamic financing;
	(2)  what provision has been made by his Department to enable the purchase of homes under (a) shared ownership and (b) right-to-buy schemes that are compliant with Islamic financing principles.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) is exploring options with the Housing Corporation and other regulators to ascertain whether it is possible for shared equity products to comply with Islamic law. The issues are complex and we want a solution which protects both the rights of individuals and provides security for Government funds.
	In March 2005, the ODPM published a consultation paper, Non-standard mortgages for purchasing social dwellings, on its proposal to issue a General Consent under section 32 of the Housing Act 1985 to facilitate the use of finance that complies with Sharia principles by secure tenants of local authorities who wish to buy their homes. The paper is available on the ODPM website, at: http://www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm_housing/documents/page/odpm_house_035962.hcsp
	The closing date for responses was 20 June 2005. We will consider the responses received before taking any action.

Housing Initiatives

Vincent Cable: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the proportion of (a) shared owners and (b) Homebuy purchasers who expect to own their own home outright eventually.

Yvette Cooper: On 6 June the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister published a supporting annex to our consultation document HomeBuyexpanding the opportunity to own (April 2005). This summarised key research into our existing shared ownership and Homebuy schemes. Research included the Evaluation of the Low Cost Home Ownership Programme (ODPM 2002) which found that over 80 per cent. of shared owners and 53 per cent. of Homebuy purchasers expected to own their current home outright eventually.

Housing Initiatives

Vincent Cable: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the potential costs to (a) public funds and (b) mortgage lenders of properties purchased under the Homebuy Joint Shared Equity Loan with Mortgage Lenders scheme being sold at below the original purchase price.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is currently consulting on the details of our proposals for a range of new HomeBuy products, as set out in the consultation document HomeBuyExpanding the Opportunity to Own (a copy of which is available from the Library of the House). This includes proposals for the joint public/private funding of equity loans.
	Under these proposals a proportion of the equity loan assistance currently offered by the Government under the HomeBuy scheme will be replaced with funding from a private mortgage lender. For example, if a buyer purchases 75 per cent. of a home through their own means the Government will fund 12.5 per cent. and the private lender the remaining 12.5 per cent.
	Subject to the outcome of the consultation exercise the Open Market HomeBuy scheme will be modified in this way. This will enable the Government's funding allocated to the scheme to go further and help more people into home ownership. It is not our intention that there will be any overall increase in costs to public funds as a result of these proposals.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has made no assessment of the potential costs to lenders of operating this scheme; that is a primarily a matter for lenders themselves.

Property Values

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a copy of the methodology used for the original valuation of properties for council tax in England.

Phil Woolas: Information on the methodology used in valuing domestic properties for council tax purposes has been placed in the Library of the House. This is contained in the National Audit report, published in March 1994, entitled Council Tax Valuations in England and Wales.
	Additional information can be obtained from the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) website at www.voa.gov.uk and selecting council tax at the top of the home page and from the next page How your property is valued.

Rates (Collection)

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the collection rate for (a) business rates and (b) council tax has been in each local authority in each year since 199697.

Phil Woolas: Details of the collection rate for (a) non-domestic rates and (b) council tax in each local authority in each year since 199798 are published on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website and can be found under the heading Information For TaxpayersCouncil Tax Collection Rates at: http://www.local.odpm.gov.uk/finance/ct.htm

Incapacity Benefit

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of claimant off-flows from jobseeker's allowance were due to the claimant claiming incapacity benefit for each of the last 10 years in (a) the UK, (b) England and Wales and (c) Birkenhead.

Anne McGuire: Information is not available prior to 1998; the available information is in the table.
	
		Jobseekers allowance (JSA) off-flows due to the claimant claiming incapacity benefit (IB), May 1998 to May 2005:United Kingdom, England, Wales and Birkenheadparliamentary constituency
		
			  United Kingdom England 
			  JSA off-flow to IB Percentage of total JSA off-flow JSA off-flow to IB Percentage of total JSA off-flow 
		
		
			 May 1998 12,235 4.2 9,375 4.0 
			 May 1999 15,410 4.8 11,580 4.5 
			 May 2000 9,805 4.1 7,305 3.9 
			 May 2001 9,345 4.4 6,970 4.2 
			 May 2002 9,615 4.2 7,220 4.0 
			 May 2003 7,870 4.0 5,975 3.8 
			 May 2004 9,465 3.8 7,240 3.6 
			 May 2005 7,560 4.0 5,725 3.7 
		
	
	
		
			  Wales Birkenhead parliamentary constituency 
			  JSA off-flow  to IB Percentage of total JSA off-flow JSA off-flow  to IB Percentage of total JSA off-flow 
		
		
			 May 1998 870 5.4 30 4.6 
			 May 1999 1,070 5.8 45 5.7 
			 May 2000 675 5.0 25 4.1 
			 May 2001 655 5.3 30 5.7 
			 May 2002 625 5.1 35 6.0 
			 May 2003 530 5.0 15 3.3 
			 May 2004 600 4.5 25 4.4 
			 May 2005 525 5.2 20 3.8 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 5.
	2. Percentages have been given to 1 decimal place.
	3. Figures do not include a small number of clerical cases.
	4. There a small number of claimants who flow off JSA with an unknown destination recordedit is possible that some of these claimants may have also flowed from JSA to IB. Therefore the above figures may be a slight undercount.
	Source:
	Count of unemployment-related benefits, jobcentre plus computer systems.

Local Housing Allowance

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of levels of fraud and error in connection with payment of housing benefit within the local housing allowance pilot areas.

James Plaskitt: The information is not available as requested as data is not available below national level. Our latest estimates of fraud and error in housing benefit are published in Fraud and Error in Housing Benefit April 2002 to March 2004, which is available in the Library.
	We are continuing to evaluate the local housing allowance within the pathfinder areas. Qualitative data will be gathered for local authority staff as part of the evaluation programme. However, this will not include data on fraud and error.

Pension Credit

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners in (a) Dudley, North and (b) Dudley as a whole are in receipt of the pension credit; how much they receive on average; how many people he estimates are eligible; and what steps are (i) in train and (ii) planned to encourage those who are not claiming pension credit to do so.

Stephen Timms: Information on the number of people in receipt of pension credit in Dudley, North and the local authority area of Dudley, and average awards, is set out in the following table. Information on the number of people who are eligible for pension credit is not available in respect of individual constituencies or local authority areas.
	The focus of the pension credit take-up campaign now concentrates on those people likely to be entitled but who have not responded to approaches so far. New marketing campaigns have been developed, which maximise the use of available data and which are carefully targeted on the regions and on demographic groups under-represented in relation to the volume of pension credit applications received. We are continually reviewing how the most eligible pensioners are responding to us and assessing alternative ways of contacting them.
	
		Pension credit recipients, Dudley, March 2005
		
			   Households  Individuals Average award () 
		
		
			 Dudley, North  constituency 6,030 7,635 39.17 
			 Dudley local  authority area 18,085 22,955 38.56 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures are rounded to the nearest five.
	2. Figures relate to the end of the month.
	3. Individuals comprise claimants and partners and may contain a small number of partners aged under 60.
	4. Parliamentary constituencies and local authority areas are assigned by matching postcodes against the relevant ONS directory.
	5. The figures for March 2005 are the latest available.
	Source:
	Information Directorate, Department for Work and Pensions, 100 per cent. sample

Pension Protection Fund

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how employers will be informed of their expected contribution levels to the Pension Protection Fund; and if he will list the expected 10 largest contributors to the Fund.

Stephen Timms: Employers will receive an invoice for their Pension Protection Fund initial levy via The Pensions Regulator.
	It is not possible to disclose the details of the 10 largest contributors to the Pension Protection Fund. This is restricted information, held by the Pensions Regulator, where onward disclosure is only permitted to specified bodies for specific purposes in accordance with the provisions of the Pensions Act 2004.

Pensions

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what level of basic state pension a person must have before a full state second pension added onto it will bring them outside eligibility for current pension credit.

Stephen Timms: A person who is entitled to the maximum amount of Additional State Pension (SERPS and State Second Pension), currently around 140 per week, would also be entitled to a basic state pension of more than half the current rate thus producing an income of at least 180 per week. A single person with income at this level would not normally be eligible for pension credit. However, people with severe disability, caring responsibility and housing costs could still be eligible.

Ambulance Service

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what account was taken of (a) the impact on tri-service arrangements, (b) rural issues and (c) the future of patient transport in the report on the possible reconfiguration of the ambulance trusts for Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire; what (i) patient and (ii) public involvement there were in the preparation of the report; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The review of ambulance services that have taken place across the Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Strategic Health Authority (SHA) area, is centred around the ambulance service's main role of emergency care and its management structure.
	The future of tri-service arrangements will be for the new organisation to decide while ensuring the preservation of good local services as a priority.
	The rural nature of large parts of Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire SHA have been a significant factor in the review, however, patient transport is not part of the review criteria.
	The steering group overseeing the review has been made up of all key stakeholders, not members of the public as this is a management report. The SHA is undertaking a period of communication with all key stakeholders, including staff and patients, over the summer period. It will take on board the views of people across the Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire SHA area. Changes to management and organisational structure do not require formal consultation as part of Section 11 of the Health and Social Care Act 2001. However, a discussion is planned to take place with national health service staff, the boards of all organisations involved and key stakeholders on the preferred option. A draft discussion document will be presented to the Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire SHA board for approval on 7 July 2005. A special board meeting is planned for 20 October 2005 to consider the results.

Audiology Services

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to reduce the number of people waiting (a) to be assessed for their first NHS hearing aid and (b) to switch from analogue to digital aids.

Liam Byrne: Through the modernising hearing aids (MHAS) programme, which was completed in March 2005, the Department has taken several steps to help the national health service increase the capacity of the hearing aid services to reduce waiting lists for assessment and provision of digital hearing aids. These include:
	The establishment of the national framework contract public private partnership (PPP). MHAS estimates that by 2006, 52,950 patients will have been fitted with digital hearing aids through PPP.
	Development of a new degree to help to address the shortage of audiologists180 students started the audiology BSc. course in 200405.
	Setting up pilot sites for Hearing Direct. These offer follow-up care and advice for selected hearing aid users and reduces the patient journey time. Research suggests it may be suitable for one third of all NHS hearing aid patients.

Audit Commission Report (2002)

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made against the priorities for action set out in the Audit Commission's Forget Me Not report in 2002.

Liam Byrne: The recommendations in the Forget Me Not report were principally addressed to local health and social care agencies. It is for these local agencies to decide on their priorities in the light of local circumstances.

Clinical Negligence Claims

David Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many clinical negligence claims were made against NHS bodies in each year since 1996.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 6 June 2005
	Centrally collected data from the NHS Litigation Authority is shown in the following table:
	
		Total number of clinical negligence claims reported to the NHSLA based upon date reported to the NHSLA scheme member, as at 31 March 2005
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 199697 4,136 
			 199798 6,932 
			 199899 6,916 
			 19992000 7,036 
			 200001 6,915 
			 200102 7,215 
			 200203 6,257 
			 200304 4,844 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Clinical negligence scheme for trusts (CNST) claims are those in respect of liabilities occurring on or after 1 April 1995. Existing liability scheme (ELS) claims are those open at 1 April 1996, where the incident pre dates 1 April 1995. Former Regional health authority (RHA) claims are pre-April 1996 and are cases against the former RHAs, fully funded by the NHSLA.
	2. The year a claim is notified to the NHSLA has no relevance to the year the incident giving rise to a claim occurred.

Continuing Care

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what steps she has taken to assess the legality of the guidance given to strategic health authorities concerning the provision of free continuing care since publication of recommendation 15 of the Health Committee Report of 5 April;
	(2)  what guidance she has given to social service departments concerning the regulations issued in 2001 that self-funders cannot be required to sell their homes in their own lifetime since the then Minister's evidence on the subject to the Health Select Committee on 17 March;
	(3)  what steps she has taken to secure compliance by strategic health authorities with recommendation 17 of the Health Committee Report of 5 April on the assessment of patients with continuing needs before they leave hospital;
	(4)  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action she has taken to secure compliance by strategic health authorities with her Department's guidance recorded in paragraph 151 of the Health Committee report of 5 April concerning assessment for continuing care.

Liam Byrne: The Government are considering the Committee's report and we will publish our response before the summer recess.

ECT Treatment

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in England have undergone electroconvulsive therapy in each of the past five years; and how many were (a) 50 years or over and (b) 65 years or over.

Rosie Winterton: The information is not available in the requested format. The latest information available on electro-convulsive therapy (ECT) is that contained in the Department's publication Statistical Bulletin Electro Convulsive Therapy: Survey covering the period from January 2002 to March 2002, England. This was a follow-up to an earlier survey of the period January to March 1999. Both surveys were undertaken to provide data on ECT that are not currently available elsewhere.
	The 2002 survey confirmed the continuing downward trend in the number of administrations of ECT. It collected information from national health service and independent sector care settings, including nursing homes, on the total number of administrations of ECT in NHS and independent sector care settings including data on sex, age, ethnicity, legal status and method of consent.
	It found that in the period January to March 2002:
	2,300 patients received ECT treatment compared to 2,800 in 1999; there were 700 male patients receiving treatment, compared with 1,600 female patients; there were 12,800 administrations of ECT compared to 16,500 in January to March 1999; of the 2,272 patients in England who underwent ECT in 2002, 1,709 were aged 45 and over, and 1,053 were aged 65 and over. This compares to figures of 2,079 and 1,176, respectively, of the total of 2,835 in the 1999 survey.
	Copies of the 2002 survey and the earlier 1999 survey are available in the Library.

Health Authority for London

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to create a Health Authority for London; and if she will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: There are currently five strategic health authorities (SHAs) in London. As stated in Creating a Patient-Led NHS (March 2005), the Department expects a reduction in the number of SHAs as more national health service trusts move to NHS foundation trust status. However, no decisions about the future of London SHAs, including whether there should be a single health authority, have been taken.

Health Care Demand (London)

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of (a) the current and (b) the expected growth in demand for maternity services in London; and if she will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: In line with the Department's Shifting the Balance of Power policy, any assessment on current and expected demand for local maternity services would be for strategic health authorities and primary care trusts to consider.

Health Development Agency

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what budget was allocated to the Health Development Agency in each year since its inception.

Jane Kennedy: The information requested is shown in the following table.
	
		Health Development Agency Allocations(46):information taken from HDA published accounts  thousand
		
			  Total allocations from Government sources 
		
		
			 200001 11,288 
			 200102 12,261 
			 200203 11,015 
			 200304 11,992 
			 200405(47) 12,943 
		
	
	(46) The Health Development Agency was abolished on 31 March 2005 and its functions transferred to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence on 1 April 2005.
	(47) The final accounts for the HDA's last year of operation have not yet been completed. The figure quoted is from the Department of Health's cash limit allocation letter to the HDA.

Health Finance (Oxfordshire)

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how much and what percentage of the Oxfordshire Mental Healthcare Trust budget she expects to come from (a) primary care trusts and (b) other sources; and from which other sources she expects such funds to come;
	(2)  how much and what percentage of the Oxford Radcliffe NHS Trust budget for 200506 she expects to come from (a) primary care trusts, (b) reserve funding, (c) funding on a consequence of the John Radcliffe being a teaching hospital and (d) other sources; and from which other sources she expects such funding to come.

Caroline Flint: The table shows data for 200304, which is the latest year for which figures are available.
	The Department has no information relating to reserve funding or to funding on a consequence of the John Radcliffe being a teaching hospital.
	
		Income of the Oxfordshire Mental Healthcare National Health Service Trust and the Oxford Radcliffe NHS Trust, 200304 000
		
			  Oxfordshire Mental Healthcare NHS Trust Oxford Radcliffe NHS Trust 
		
		
			 Income from activitiesincome received from: 
			 Strategic health authorities 0 1,841 
			 NHS trusts 307 31 
			 Primary care trusts 55,184 318,297 
			 Local authorities 47 0 
			 Non NHS: private patients 47 12,140 
			 Non-NHS: overseas patients (non-reciprocal) 0 102 
			 Road Traffic Act 3 1,165 
			 Non NHS: other 0 2 
			 Total income from activities 55,588 333,578 
			
			 Other operating incomeincome received from: 
			 Education, training and research 6,400 40,514 
			 Charitable and other contributions to expenditure 0 2,449 
			 Transfers from the donated asset reserve in respect of depreciation, impairment and disposal of donated assets 22 1,938 
			 Other income, for example, charges to staff, income from the Department for non-patient care services 19,975 45,462 
			 Total other operating income 26,397 90,363 
			 Total income 81,985 423,941 
		
	
	Source:
	Audited summarisation schedules of the Oxfordshire Mental Healthcare NHS Trust and the Oxford Radcliffe NHS Trust, 200304.

Health Finance (Oxfordshire)

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the formula is on which funding is allocated to the (a) Cherwell Vale Primary Care Trust, (b) North East Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust and (c) Oxford City Primary Care Trust.

Caroline Flint: A weighted capitation formula is used to determine each primary care trust's (PCTs) target share of available resources, to enable them to commission similar levels of health services for populations in similar need.
	The components of the formula are used to weight each PCTs crude population according to their relative need (age and additional need) for healthcare and the unavoidable geographical differences in the cost of providing healthcare (the market forces factor).

Hepatitis C

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in the establishment of managed clinical networks to provide accessible specialist assessment and treatment for people with hepatitis C infection since the publication of the National Hepatitis C Strategy for England.

Caroline Flint: In line with Shifting the Balance of Power, decisions about networks and their funding are for local determination. We understand that managed clinical networks have so far either been established or are being considered in London, South West peninsula, East Anglia, West Midlands, Trent, Liverpool and North East England.

Hepatitis C

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what role she plans for screening in the process of controlling the spread and progression of hepatitis C infections.

Caroline Flint: Testing of those at current or past risk of hepatitis C infection by the national health service and other key stakeholders is one of the key areas for action set out in the Department's Hepatitis C Action Plan for England, which is available in the Library and on the Department's website at www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/08/47/13/04084713.pdf.

Hepatitis C

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to improve data collection relating to the spread of hepatitis C in England.

Caroline Flint: Actions to improve the epidemiological surveillance of hepatitis C are set out in the Department's Hepatitis C Action Plan for England, which is available in the Library and on the Department's website at www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/08/47/13/04084713.pdf.

Hepatitis C

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the level of monitoring of disease progression of hepatitis C among sufferers with mild liver disease.

Caroline Flint: The Department has not made such an assessment. The monitoring of individual patients with hepatitis C who have mild disease is a matter for clinical judgement.
	In 2001, The Royal College of Physicians of London and the British Society of Gastroenterology published Clinical guidelines on the management of hepatitis C. This is available on the Gut website at http://gut.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/49/suppl_1/I1

Hospitals

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on proposals (a) to reduce bed numbers and (b) to change service provision at the West Herts Hospital Trust's Hemel Hempstead and Watford hospitals.

Rosie Winterton: In line with our policy of Shifting the Balance of Power, the configuration of local services is a matter for the local national health service, working in partnership with its local community.
	The reconfiguration of services at West Hertfordshire Hospital Trust is part of the wider reconfiguration of services in both Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, known as Investing in Your Health. The strategic outline case for this major reconfiguration of services was approved in July 2004 by the then Secretary of State for Health.

Leukaemia (Draper report)

Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will meet the charity Children with Leukaemia to discuss the implications of the Draper report; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: There are currently no plans to meet the charity Children with Leukaemia. The recent publication in the British Medical Journal by Dr. Draper and colleagues found a statistically increased incidence of leukaemia for children whose home address at birth was near power lines compared with those further away. The work was funded by the Department and has significantly added to the body of knowledge built up over the last few years regarding this very important subject. The work will continue with an investigation of the electromagnetic field (EMF) exposures at the addresses studied.
	A number of population studies in the past have linked magnetic field exposure with a raised incidence of childhood leukaemia. This has led to the International Agency for Cancer Research to classify extremely low frequency fields or ELF, such as those associated with power lines and domestic wiring as a possible carcinogen. The World Health Organisation and indeed the Health Protection Agency have recommended additional research and the need for further precautionary measures to be considered.
	The stakeholder advisory group on electromagnetic ELF fields (SAGE) set up last year has already enabled Government officials to engage in detailed discussions with industry, regulators, professional bodies and interest groups about how to respond to this complex issue. The intention of the process is to offer carefully considered recommendations in the interests of society as a whole, which can be found on R.K. Partnership's website at: www.rkpartnership.co.uk/sage

Mental Health

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children have been treated by child and adolescent mental health services in each of the last eight years.

Liam Byrne: Since 2002, some data about the overall child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) case load in England has been collected by the annual CAMHS mapping exercise. This includes a snapshot of the total CAMHS case load in England in a four-week period. The case load is defined as the number of active cases that CAMHS teams worked with during the four-week period. The table shows a headcount of children and young people who have received support, treatment and care from specialist CAMHS professionals.
	
		Finished consultant episodes under mental illness specialities in national health service hospitals by age at end of episode: Children and adolescents, 199697 to 200304(48)
		
			 Data year Aged 18 and under All episodes 
		
		
			 200304(48) 5,780 187,540 
			 200203(48) 5,170 197,070 
			 200102 5,400 206,910 
			 200001 5,140 213,840 
			 19992000 5,120 224,300 
			 199899 5,200 228,170 
			 199798 5,770 236,000 
			 199697 6,180 237,370 
		
	
	(48) Data for the years 200203 and 200304 have not yet been adjusted for shortfalls in data and unknown/invalid clinical data, ie the data are ungrossed.
	Notes:
	1. Disclosure rules apply due to the sensitive nature of the data; therefore, figures have been rounded to the nearest 10.
	2. In the four-week period in 2002 a total of 80,602 children and young people were seen and this increased to 86,521 in 2003. The 2004 CAMHS mapping will be published shortly.
	Source:
	Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre.

Mental Health

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to reduce violent and threatening behaviour within mental health wards.

Jane Kennedy: At national level a head of mental health and learning disabilities has been appointed by the NHS Security Management Service (NHS SMS) to lead on a specific programme of work, aimed at providing safe, secure and therapeutic environments in mental health and learning disability settings. The post holder has extensive clinical experience in these environments and was formerly a professional advisor to the Nursing and Midwifery Council on violence against staff. The head is responsible for the development of professionally trained and accredited local security management specialists for mental health and learning disability settings, which will be fully implemented in these areas by summer 2006.
	The local security management specialists, supported by the NHS SMS, will ensure that each mental health and learning disability trust has access to professional and specialist skills to tackle issues such as violence in these settings. This role includes developing preventative measures as well as managing violent incidents when they occur.
	The NHS SMS has also developed a training syllabus on non-physical intervention techniques for those working in mental health and learning disability settings. This syllabus will be rolled out in autumn 2005 and will complement the National Institute for Mental Health in England's (NIMHE) work on physical interventions.
	Guidance developed by NIMHE, Developing Positive Practice to Support the Safe and Therapeutic Management of Aggression and Violence in Mental Health In-patient Settings (February 2004) and by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence The Short-term Management of Disturbed/Violent Behaviour in In-patient Psychiatric Settings and Emergency Departments (February 2005) has already been made available to national health service bodies. A key role for the LSMS will be to ensure that this guidance is implemented where appropriate.

Mental Health

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance is given to primary care trusts on the provision of (a) alternative and (b) cognitive behavioural therapies in mental health wards.

Rosie Winterton: Psychological therapies, which include cognitive behavioural therapy, were included alongside drug treatments in the national service framework for mental heath (1999) to reflect their importance alongside drug treatments, and their popularity with some service users. In 2001, an evidence based guideline, Treatment choice in psychological therapies and counselling was published in 2001 to help general practitioners and other professionals know more about the most effective treatments for particular conditions. A booklet for service users and carers, Choosing talking treatments?, was also published in 2001 to help them know the questions to ask when seeking a talking treatment. The Department also published a best practice guide entitled Organising and delivering psychological therapies (2004) in order to help local services deliver acceptable, accessible, equitable, cost effective and safe psychological therapy services.
	As stated in the national director for mental health's recent report on the implementation of the national service framework for mental health, Five years on, published in 2004, the Department is planning to commission a review of evidence of effectiveness of complementary healthcare for mental health problems. This review will inform the development of a national framework for supporting local innovation in mental health services to make them more responsive to individual needs.

Mental Health

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to increase provision to (a) train and (b) recruit psychologists for inpatient mental health wards.

Rosie Winterton: Within the context of implementing the National mental health workforce strategy (2004), the Department will continue with its drive to increase the numbers of staff who can deliver psychological therapies which has contributed to an almost 75 per cent. increase in the number clinical psychologists and a 125 per cent. increase in the number of non-medical psychotherapists working in the national health service since 1997.
	In addition, as set out in the national director for mental health's report on the implementation of the national service framework for mental health, Five years on (2004), a new programme of work in the National Institute for Mental Health in England will explore ways of expanding the availability of talking treatments. These are likely to include improved psychological therapy skills in frontline staff, new staff who are trained in brief interventions of proven effectiveness, self-help technologies and a broader choice of providers of therapy in the national health service and the independent sector. These initiatives are being supported by the Department's guidance entitled Organising and Delivering Psychological Therapies (2004).

Mental Health

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures are being implemented following the publication of the national service framework for mental healthFive years on.

Rosie Winterton: The Department will continue with the implementation of the national service framework for mental health (1999), take forward the recommendations of the Social Exclusion Unit's report on mental health (2004), help challenge discrimination against people with mental health problems through a new anti-stigma programme, eradicate unsuitable mental health wards and work to improve mental health care for ethnic minorities. The Department will put greater emphasis on improving the mental health and well-being of the community as a whole and explore ways of expanding the availability of talking treatments. The Department will continue to work towards its public service agreement target to reduce mortality rates from suicide and undetermined injury by at least 20 per cent. by 2010.

Methadone/Buprenorphine

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance she has issued to drug actions teams on the use of (a) methadone and (b) buprenorphine.

Caroline Flint: holding answer 27 June 2005
	The Department and the National Treatment Agency, as part of their commitment to appropriate substitute prescribing, have produced a number of pieces of work in support of this objective. These are:
	Clinical Guidelines on the Management of Drug Dependence (Department of Health, 1999), which is based on an expert review of the evidence. This is a key document underpinning standards of treatment interventions, including substitute prescribing, expected of professionals.
	Research Into Practice: Prescribing Services for Drug Misuse (National Treatment Agency, January 2003). This document provided recommendations in relation to recommended guiding principles of an effective prescribing regime and the recommended components of an effective prescribing service.
	A Chief Medical Officer letter (January 2001) relating to a change in national health service regulations that allowed for the instalment dispensing of buprenorphine. This regulation change was seen as being effective in increasing prescribers' willingness to prescribe buprenorphine as the risk of overdose and diversion was reduced substantially.
	As part of our continuing commitment to develop the evidence base in this area as part of our objective to increase the effectiveness of treatment, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence, as part of its 10th wave, has agreed to do an appraisal of methadone and buprenorphine in the treatment of drug addiction. This important work, which will be completed by the end of 2006, is likely to be influential in the development of appropriate and effective substitute prescribing in future years.

Mobile Phone Risks (Children)

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment she has made of the possible risk posed by mobile phones to young children; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what measures are being taken to reduce the number of young children being exposed to mobile phones.

Caroline Flint: The comprehensive research reviews in this country undertaken for the Stewart report in 2000 and for the Health Effects from Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields do not suggest there are adverse health effects from the use of mobile phone technologies. Most reviews, however, note there are gaps in our scientific knowledge and therefore recommend continued research and the adoption of a precautionary approach with respect to children in particular.
	Our advice to parents of children and young people under 16 on the use of mobile phones is set out in the leaflet Mobile phones and Health, available on the Department's website at: www.dh.gov.uk/PublicationsAndStatistics/Publications/fs/en. It states:
	the UK Chief Medical Officers strongly advise that where children and young people do use mobile phones, they should be encouraged to use mobile phones for essential purposes only and keep all calls short.
	The advice adds that:
	if parents want to avoid their children being subject to any possible risk that might be identified in the future, the way to do it is to exercise their choice not to let their children use mobile phones.
	In line with the Stewart report's precautionary approach, the mobile phone operators reviewed their marketing policies to ensure they do not actively market mobile phones to the under-16s.
	A more recent report from the National Radiological Protection Board, now the Health Protection Agency's radiation protection division, issued in January 2005, entitled Mobile Phones and Health 2004, recommends that limiting the use of mobile phones by children remains an appropriate precautionary measure.

MRSA

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures the Government plans to take to combat the threat of MRSA in hospitals.

Jane Kennedy: Tackling meticillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other healthcare associated infections is a top priority.
	Our wide ranging programme to tackle these infections includes:
	a target to halve MRSA blood stream infections by 2008;
	the first national hand hygiene campaign;
	trials of a rapid review MRSA screening test to show if new methods can improve patient care;
	consultation on a new hygiene bill;
	materials for NHS staff such as Saving Lives: a delivery programme to reduce healthcare associated infections including MRSA.

Needle Exchange Projects (Hepatitis C)

Janet Dean: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the effect of needle exchange projects on the prevention of hepatitis C infection in (a) the Burton constituency and (b) England.

Caroline Flint: Injecting drug use is a main route of transmission of hepatitis C. Needle exchange services, when provided with a range of other measures including the provision of information and advice about risk and accessible specialised drug treatment services, reduce the risk of transmission of hepatitis C and other blood borne virus infections, such as HIV infection. Needle exchange services are available in over 90 per cent. of local authorities in England. As part of the Department's Hepatitis C Action Plan for England, a national audit of needle exchange schemes is under way which will contribute to monitoring of provision and effectiveness.
	In the Burton constituency area, action has been taken to reduce the risks of transmission of hepatitis C through the provision of needle exchange services and other harm reduction services. The Staffordshire drug action team is working with other local partners, including general practitioners and primary care trusts, to develop an intervention strategy for ensuring that this provision remains effective for addressing local needs.

NHS Spending

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health by what amounts NHS spending was (a) above and (b) below planned levels in the financial year (i) 200304, (ii) 200405 and (iii) 200506 to date; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: The national health service plans to break even each year. In 200304 the NHS finished the year with a small surplus of 73 million.
	Unaudited figures for the financial year ending 200405, show that the NHS is likely to be in deficit by around 140 million, this represents a fraction of the total budget, at around 0.2 per cent. Audited information in respect of the 200405 financial position of all strategic health authorities (SHAs), primary care trusts (PCTs) and NHS trusts will be published in their individual annual accounts, and will be available centrally in autumn 2005.
	The financial position for 200506 will be available next year.

Outpatient Appointments

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many outpatient appointments were missed (a) in England and (b) in each NHS trust in the most recent year for which figures are available; how many appointments with a general practitioner were missed (i) in England and (ii) in each primary care trust in the most recent year for which figures are available; what proportion of the total number of appointments this represented in each case; and what estimate she has made of the cost to the NHS of such missed appointments.

Liam Byrne: The total number of missed outpatient appointments for the year 200405 in England was 5,707,288, or 11.3 per cent. Data for individual trusts are available in the Library.
	The Department has not made an estimate of the cost of such missed appointments. However, the new choose and book system, which is being implemented across the national health service will help give patients greater certainty and choice over the time and date of their hospital appointment and will help to reduce the number and cost of missed appointments.
	The Department does not collect data on the number of missed general practice appointments, but there is some evidence to suggest the number of missed appointments are falling.

Schizophrenia

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) 50 to 64-year-olds, (b) 65 to 74-year-olds and (c) over 75-year-olds were diagnosed with schizophrenia in each of the last five years.

Rosie Winterton: Information is not available in the requested format. Information on the number of live discharges with a primary psychiatric diagnosis of schizophrenia of people aged 50 to 64 years, 65 to 74 years and over 75 years at the end of episode in each of the last five years is shown in the table.
	Live discharges with a primary psychiatric diagnosis of schizophrenia (ICD-10 1 ), England, by age at end of episode, 19992000 to 200304 2
	1 Diagnoses are made using chapter five (mental and behavioural disorders) of the 10th revision of the international classification of diseases (ICD-10). The relevant codes used here are F20 to F29: schizophrenia, schizotypal and delusional disorders.
	2 Figures are grossed for both coverage and missing/invalid clinical data, except for 200203, and 200304, which are not adjusted for shortfalls.
	
		
			  Age at end of episode 
			  50 to 64 years 65 to 74 years 75 years and over All live discharges 
		
		
			 200304(49) 5,330 1,860 1,510 32,540 
			 200203(49) 5,420 1,940 1,600 33,260 
			 200102 5,470 1,940 1,620 32,800 
			 200001 5,270 1,990 1,580 32,700 
			 19992000 5,400 2,160 1,700 34,120 
		
	
	(49) Figures are grossed for both coverage and missing/invalid clinical data, except for 200203 and 200304, which are not adjusted for shortfalls.
	Note:
	Disclosure rules apply due to the sensitive nature of the data; therefore, figures have been rounded to the nearest 10.
	Source:
	Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (Drug Use)

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what research she has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on whether there is a link between the use of illegal substances and the spread of sexually transmitted infections and diseases;
	(2)  what measures are in place to warn recreational drug users of the dangers of contracting sexually transmitted diseases while under the influence of substances.

Caroline Flint: The Department keeps all of its sexual health promotion work under review, taking account of emerging research evidence to ensure the effectiveness of health promotion messages, using the best means to reach our target audience.
	The Department commissioned the national addiction centre to review the evidence of harms associated with drugs of abuse and to summarise this in the Department's publication, Dangerousness of drugs, which was published in September 2003.
	This reports that a number of illicit drugs are associated with disinhibition and unsafe sexual practices including amyl nitrite and other nitrites, amphetamine type stimulants and novel synthetic drugs, such as MDMA/Ecstasy or GHB, opiates, benzodiazepines, volatile solvents, and that there is a possibility of high risk sexual behaviour in cocaine use.
	The Department is currently developing its major new media campaign to promote safer sex, and this will be firmly based on the evidence base. Primary care trusts are responsible for undertaking sexual health promotion which meets the needs of their local populations and the Department supports them in this work by publishing best practice guidance on sexual health promotion, which includes work with drug users, and commissioning services.

Tuberculosis

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have received (a) BCG immunisations and (b) related skin tests in each of the last 24 months.

Caroline Flint: The number of people who have received bacillus calmette-guerin (BCG) vaccination and related skin tests are published annually in the Department's statistical bulletin, NHS Immunisation Statistics, England.
	The number of BCG vaccinations and skin tests given in 200203 can be found in NHS Immunisation Statistics, England: 200203. Copies are available in the Library, and on the Department's website at: www.doh.gov.uk/public/sb0316.htm.
	The number of BCG vaccinations and skin tests given in 200304 can be found in NHS Immunisation Statistics, England: 200304. Copies are available in the Library, and on the Department's website at: www.publications.doh.gov.uk/public/sb0416.htm.